by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

by Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA -- Los Angeles Dodgers owner Magic Johnson wants to build a dynasty like the New York Yankees, but divulged Thursday they won't be trying to steal the Yankees' biggest star to help make it happen: free agent second baseman Robinson Cano.

"I can't talk about the other guy,'' Johnson said, "but you already know that guy in New York is going to be paid. Not by us. But he's going to get paid.''

The Dodgers, who have a National League record $234 million payroll, instead will focus their attention on re-signing ace Clayton Kershaw, who started Game 1 of their National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves.

When asked that Kershaw's price tag may only rise with a fabulous postseason, Johnson laughed, and said: "We're not worried about that. We already know we've got to give him a lot of money. What's a few more zeroes. I mean, really?''

The Dodgers still have not provided manager Don Mattingly a contract extension, but Johnson said he has been pleased with Mattingly's performance, and steady demeanor. The Dodgers will meet with Mattingly after the season, he said, and discuss his fate.

"Donnie has been pushing the right buttons,'' Johnson said, "and the fans love him. â?¦ But this is not the time to talk contract right now. After this is over with, everybody will see where they are, and go from there. So, right now, we just want to enjoy this moment.''

"We've always been fair to everybody, as you see.''

Johnson, also reminded that he uttered the words, "World Series or Bust,'' in spring training, certainly didn't back away from his expectations. Anything short of a World Series championship, Johnson said, simply isn't good enough.

"That will always be my feeling,'' he said. "Whether that's everyone else's feeling, that's another thing. That was my feeling as a basketball player. When I was with the Lakers, it was all about winning a championship.

"Now, am I trying to put that type of pressure on my team? No. So if you don't win it all, you've have to say, "Well, it isn't' the season that we wanted. Now, are we growing and making great strides, no question about it. No question about it.

"I'm going to take this all day long, even if we lose this series. But, at the same time, I want our attitude to be: "We want to win it all.''

In time, Johnson hopes that the Dodgers could build a dynasty much like the Yankees or the Atlanta Braves, who won 14 consecutive division titles.

"To win a championship,'' Johnson said, "would mean the world to me. It's not just for myself, it's for the city of Los Angeles, the players, and then I would enjoy it too because I love Los Angeles. I love winning in L.A., whether it's the Lakers or Dodgers. But to win it with the Dodgers, as an owner, would be incredible.

"I'd probably start crying.''

Certainly, money will be no problem for the Dodgers to make October an annual event. They recently signed a new $8.5 billion TV contract, and are expected to draw more than 4 million fans next year, after drawing 3.7 million fans this season. Yet, the Dodgers will be mindful of the luxury tax, and will slow down their free-agent expenditures, while still continuing to win.

"L.A. is real Dodger town right now,'' said Johnson, the Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer. "You should see all of the blue and white in town.''